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Edradour Straight From The Cask Port Wood Finish 12 Year
Distiller Score 95
At cask strength it is slow to open but rounds out beautifully after about 10 minutes. Take time to savor the quality and richness of this distillation. A robust aroma of marzipan and baked dark fruits leads to a rich and oily palate with a touch of cocoa and coffee. The fruity finish is lengthy with just a touch of pepper.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Glengoyne 21 Year
Distiller Score 90
The initial impressions are those of a classic sherry-cask-aged whisky, with plenty of fruits, like red dried plums in this instance, and toasted barley. As it reaches your palate, it feels very smooth and has no prickly, burning effect. The aromas are very well integrated, leaving an overall seamless experience. This Glengoyne is mostly fruity, floral and gently spicy. The finish could have been longer, but at the end of the day, this is a very successful whisky.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Springbank Rum Wood Finish 16 Year
Distiller Score 91
A sniff brings lots of vanilla, honey, and tropical fruits like papaya and a bit of coconut. The taste is an exquisite balance of rum and whisky characteristics. This is a rich and sweet whisky with cocoa, apricots, and more papaya; the palate also shows bitter dark chocolate, oak, and salted caramel. A few drops of water really brings the fruit forward, accompanied by a floral burst and more salt.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Glenmorangie 18 Year
Distiller Score 93
Desserts galore come to mind with this whisky. The aroma is bursting of fresh lemon hand pies with the taste profile moving towards cherry pie with a rich, buttery crust. As you continue down the dessert list, crème brûlée with its just torched sugar crust is paired with a cinnamon honey and citrus hot toddy. Even with all of these sweet, heavy descriptors, there is a zing to this whisky that keeps it fresh and alive.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Compass Box Hedonism
Distiller Score 97
Having aged in only 1st fill ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky definitely shows aromas from the wood such as coconut cream and vanilla, but there are more layers to explore. The creaminess of the whisky is very sensual and as it sits in your mouth baking spices are revealed. The name "Hedonism" suits this whisky just fine.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8
Distiller Score 90
Oloroso sherry is unsurprisingly prominent on the nose, with lemon curd, baking spices, toffee, and macadamia nuts. The palate showcases milk chocolate with icing-covered cinnamon buns, along with red grapes, dates and prunes, and trail mix with assorted candied fruits and nuts. The finish is zesty and spicy, with an altogether easy nature belying its cask strength. Let this one open up in the glass for a time before enjoying.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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The Glenrothes 1995
Distiller Score 91
For those that like their whiskies on the sweet side, step right up. This is a creamy and rich whisky with notes of almond covered toffee. Ripe apple fruits covered with cinnamon syrup and hints of orange zest round out the flavor profile.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenmorangie Duthac
Distiller Score 91
The aroma is big and bold with a nose dominated by pear, toffee, candied nuts, and baking spices--very much a dessert dram. The palate follows suit with milk chocolate, nuts, cloves, and butterscotch. The finish brings raisins, leather, and orange peel.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Auchentoshan Blood Oak
Distiller Score 89
Like a wave of syrupy Luxardo cherries, Blood Oak's scent drips with luxury. Red stone fruit wrapped in rose petals and citrus zest prep the tongue for a creamy honeyed warmth. Blood oranges and ginger, cream and vanilla, nutmeg and tobacco--all present. This isn't your typical Auchentoshan offering; it's something sexier and more dangerous. Try adding a touch of water for more pepper or leave it as is to enjoy the fruit and spice.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured
Distiller Score 90
The aromas pour forth with a rich and creamy nose of sweet juicy raisins, bold spice, mild oak and a prominent nuttiness. The mouth speaks of balance between the two finishes, first of ripe plum and a delicate nuttiness, the second of vanilla, toasted oak and delicate baking spices. This whisky draws a seductively long finish of honey, spice, vanilla and dried dark fruits, which will keep you longing for another sip.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Glenfiddich 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
If ever there was a whisky that brings to mind "liquid fruitcake", this is it. The dried candied fruits, ginger, vanilla, baking spices and toffee just screams "fruitcake" from the top of the highest mountain. In fact, if you happen to get one for the holidays, do yourself and family a favor and pour a glass or two on top of the cake for a lovely treat.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 12
Distiller Score 93
The nose offers pecan pie drizzled with salted caramel, along with candied nuts, and red fruits, including plums and grapes. The palate is big and rich, showcasing dark chocolate covered raisins, clover honey, orange zest, and raspberry syrup. The finish is lengthy and warming, with roasted peanuts, tannic oak, ginger chews, and baking spices, making for a sultry dram.
Reviewed by Jake Emen